Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A foldable mobile terminal, comprising: an upper antenna and a lower antenna, wherein in a case that the foldable mobile terminal is folded, the upper antenna and the lower antenna are electrically connected to form a new antenna.
A foldable mobile terminal includes an upper antenna and a lower antenna. When the device is in a folded state, the upper and lower antennas are electrically connected to form a new antenna configuration. This design addresses the challenge of maintaining reliable wireless communication in foldable devices, where traditional antenna arrangements may suffer from signal degradation or disconnection when the device is folded. By integrating the upper and lower antennas into a single functional unit when folded, the terminal ensures continuous and stable signal transmission. The upper antenna is positioned on the upper portion of the device, while the lower antenna is located on the lower portion. When the device is unfolded, the antennas operate independently, providing coverage for different sections of the device. The electrical connection between the antennas in the folded state may be achieved through conductive elements or switching mechanisms that activate when the device is folded, ensuring seamless integration of the antennas. This solution enhances the performance of foldable mobile terminals by optimizing antenna functionality in both folded and unfolded states.
2. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 1 , further comprising: a first contact, connected to the upper antenna; and a second contact, connected to the lower antenna and configured to touch the first contact, wherein in the case that the foldable mobile terminal is folded so that the first contact and the second contact touch each other, the upper antenna and the lower antenna form the new antenna.
A foldable mobile terminal includes a housing with an upper section and a lower section, each containing an antenna. The upper section has an upper antenna, and the lower section has a lower antenna. When the device is unfolded, the antennas operate independently. When folded, a first contact connected to the upper antenna and a second contact connected to the lower antenna physically touch, electrically coupling the upper and lower antennas to form a new antenna configuration. This new antenna may improve signal reception or transmission performance by combining the properties of both antennas. The contacts ensure reliable electrical connection when the device is folded, enabling seamless antenna functionality in both folded and unfolded states. The design addresses challenges in maintaining consistent antenna performance in foldable devices, where mechanical movement could otherwise disrupt signal integrity. The solution provides a compact, adaptable antenna system that optimizes performance based on the device's physical state.
3. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 2 , further comprising: a radio frequency module; a switch, connected to the upper antenna and the lower antenna; and a processor, connected to the switch, and configured to control, when the first contact and the second contact touch each other, an on-off of the switch to implement switching between the upper antenna, the lower antenna and the new antenna, and configured to compare signal transmission performance of the upper antenna, signal transmission performance of the lower antenna and signal transmission performance of the new antenna, and select an antenna with the best signal transmission performance from the upper antenna, the lower antenna and the new antenna as a first available antenna in a case that the foldable mobile terminal is in a folded state.
A foldable mobile terminal includes a first housing with an upper antenna and a second housing with a lower antenna. When the device is folded, a new antenna is formed by the alignment of the upper and lower antennas. The terminal includes a radio frequency module, a switch connected to the upper and lower antennas, and a processor connected to the switch. The processor controls the switch to enable switching between the upper, lower, and new antennas when the first and second housings touch each other. The processor also compares the signal transmission performance of the upper, lower, and new antennas and selects the antenna with the best performance as the primary communication antenna when the device is in a folded state. This ensures optimal signal quality by dynamically selecting the best available antenna based on real-time performance metrics. The system enhances wireless communication reliability in foldable devices by leveraging multiple antenna configurations.
4. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the switch comprises a first switch, a second switch and a third switch; the radio frequency module is connected to the upper antenna through the first switch, the radio frequency module is connected to the lower antenna through the second switch, and the upper antenna is connected to the first contact through the third switch; and the processor is connected to the first switch, the second switch and the third switch, and controls an on-off of the first switch, an on-off of the second switch and an on-off of the third switch.
A foldable mobile terminal includes a housing with an upper section and a lower section that can be folded relative to each other. The device has an upper antenna in the upper section and a lower antenna in the lower section, along with a radio frequency (RF) module for wireless communication. A switch assembly, controlled by a processor, manages connections between the antennas and the RF module. The switch assembly includes three switches: a first switch connects the RF module to the upper antenna, a second switch connects the RF module to the lower antenna, and a third switch connects the upper antenna to a first contact. The processor dynamically controls the on-off states of these switches to optimize antenna performance based on the device's folded or unfolded state. This configuration ensures reliable wireless communication by selectively activating the appropriate antenna or antennas depending on the device's configuration, improving signal quality and reducing interference. The system may also support additional functions, such as data transfer or power sharing, through the first contact when the device is folded.
5. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 4 , wherein in a case that there are a plurality of first contacts and a plurality of third switches, one first contact corresponds to one third switch; the foldable mobile terminal further comprises a detection unit, and in a case that the new antenna is selected as the first available antenna, the detection unit detects an environment state where the foldable mobile terminal is located; and the processor is configured to select the first contact matching the environment state, turn on the third switch corresponding to the selected first contact, and turn off remaining third switches.
A foldable mobile terminal includes a plurality of antennas, including a new antenna, and a plurality of switches for selecting between them. The terminal has a detection unit that assesses the environment state, such as signal conditions or interference levels, when the new antenna is chosen as the available antenna. The terminal also includes multiple contacts and switches, where each contact corresponds to a specific switch. Based on the detected environment state, the terminal selects the appropriate contact and activates the corresponding switch while deactivating the others. This ensures optimal antenna performance by dynamically adjusting the connection based on real-time environmental conditions. The system enhances signal quality and reliability by tailoring the antenna selection to the current operating environment.
6. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 5 , further comprising: a second available antenna and a fourth switch, wherein the second available antenna is connected to the radio frequency module through the fourth switch, the processor being configured to turn off the fourth switch when the first contact does not touch the second contact, and turn on the fourth switch when the first contact touches the second contact.
A foldable mobile terminal includes a housing with a first contact and a second contact, where the first contact is positioned on a first housing part and the second contact is positioned on a second housing part. The terminal also includes a radio frequency (RF) module, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a first available antenna, a second available antenna, and a fourth switch. The first available antenna is connected to the RF module through the first switch, and the second available antenna is connected to the RF module through the fourth switch. A processor controls the switches based on the contact state between the first and second contacts. When the first contact does not touch the second contact, the processor turns off the fourth switch, disconnecting the second available antenna from the RF module. When the first contact touches the second contact, the processor turns on the fourth switch, connecting the second available antenna to the RF module. This configuration ensures proper antenna selection and RF performance depending on the terminal's folded or unfolded state. The terminal may also include a first unavailable antenna and a second unavailable antenna, which are selectively connected to the RF module through the second and third switches, respectively, based on the contact state. The processor controls these switches to optimize RF signal transmission and reception in different operational modes.
7. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 4 , further comprising: a second available antenna and a fourth switch, wherein the second available antenna is connected to the radio frequency module through the fourth switch, the processor being configured to turn off the fourth switch when the first contact does not touch the second contact, and turn on the fourth switch when the first contact touches the second contact.
This invention relates to foldable mobile terminals with improved antenna functionality. The problem addressed is maintaining reliable wireless communication when the device is folded, as folding can disrupt antenna performance. The solution involves a foldable mobile terminal with a first antenna, a second available antenna, and multiple switches to dynamically reconfigure the antenna system based on the device's folded state. The terminal includes a processor that detects whether a first contact touches a second contact, indicating the device is folded. When the device is folded, the processor turns off a switch connected to the first antenna and turns on a switch connected to the second available antenna, ensuring continuous wireless connectivity. The second available antenna is connected to the radio frequency module through a fourth switch, which is controlled by the processor to activate only when the device is folded. This dynamic switching ensures optimal signal reception regardless of the device's folded state, improving reliability for wireless communication. The invention enhances user experience by maintaining seamless connectivity during device folding.
8. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 3 , further comprising: a second available antenna and a fourth switch, wherein the second available antenna is connected to the radio frequency module through the fourth switch; the processor is configured to turn off the fourth switch when the first contact does not touch the second contact, and turn on the fourth switch when the first contact touches the second contact.
A foldable mobile terminal includes a housing with a first part and a second part that can be folded relative to each other. The terminal has a first contact and a second contact, where the first contact is on the first part and the second contact is on the second part. When the terminal is in an unfolded state, the first contact touches the second contact, and when the terminal is in a folded state, the first contact does not touch the second contact. The terminal also includes a radio frequency (RF) module, a first available antenna, a second available antenna, and multiple switches. The first available antenna is connected to the RF module through a first switch, and the second available antenna is connected to the RF module through a fourth switch. A processor controls the switches based on whether the first contact touches the second contact. When the first contact does not touch the second contact (indicating the terminal is folded), the processor turns off the fourth switch, disconnecting the second available antenna from the RF module. When the first contact touches the second contact (indicating the terminal is unfolded), the processor turns on the fourth switch, connecting the second available antenna to the RF module. This configuration optimizes antenna performance by selectively activating antennas based on the terminal's folded or unfolded state.
9. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 2 , further comprising: a flexible screen and a hinge, wherein the hinge is arranged in the middle of a back of the foldable mobile terminal, the flexible screen is arranged on a front of the foldable mobile terminal, and the hinge is taken as a axis to fold the foldable mobile terminal to make the flexible screen divided into a first screen and a second screen; and the processor is configured to turn off the second screen when the first contact touches the second contact.
A foldable mobile terminal includes a flexible screen and a hinge mechanism. The hinge is positioned at the center of the back of the device, while the flexible screen spans the front. The hinge allows the terminal to fold along its axis, dividing the flexible screen into two distinct sections: a first screen and a second screen. The device also includes a processor that controls the display functionality. When a first contact area on the first screen is touched while a second contact area on the second screen is also touched, the processor deactivates the second screen. This design enables a compact, foldable form factor while providing a seamless display experience when unfolded. The hinge ensures smooth folding and unfolding, and the touch-based screen control enhances user interaction by dynamically adjusting display functionality based on user input. The terminal is particularly useful for portable devices requiring both a compact size and a larger display area when in use.
10. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 9 , wherein the first screen and the second screen have the same display area.
A foldable mobile terminal includes a housing with a first screen and a second screen, where the housing is configured to transition between a folded state and an unfolded state. In the folded state, the first screen and the second screen are positioned adjacent to each other, and in the unfolded state, the first screen and the second screen are positioned to form a continuous display surface. The first screen and the second screen have the same display area, ensuring uniformity in screen size and functionality. The terminal may include a hinge mechanism to facilitate the folding and unfolding motion, allowing the device to switch between compact and expanded configurations. The screens may be touch-sensitive, enabling user interaction across the entire display surface when unfolded. The terminal may also include a processor and memory to support various applications and functions, such as communication, multimedia playback, and productivity tasks. The design aims to provide a seamless and flexible user experience, combining the portability of a folded device with the expanded display capabilities of an unfolded device.
11. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 2 , further comprising: a sensing module, configured to acquire touch information of the first contact and the second contact, and transmit the touch information to the processor.
A foldable mobile terminal includes a flexible display screen and a hinge mechanism that allows the device to fold and unfold between a folded state and an unfolded state. The display screen is divided into a first display area and a second display area, each capable of displaying content independently. The terminal also includes a processor that controls the display of content on the first and second display areas. When the device is in the folded state, the first and second display areas are positioned on opposite sides of the hinge, allowing the user to interact with both areas simultaneously. The processor is configured to detect the folded or unfolded state of the device and adjust the display content accordingly. Additionally, the terminal includes a sensing module that detects touch inputs on the first and second display areas and transmits this touch information to the processor. The processor uses this information to determine user interactions, such as gestures or multi-touch inputs, and adjusts the displayed content in response. This design enables seamless multitasking and improved usability in both folded and unfolded configurations.
12. The foldable mobile terminal according to claim 2 , wherein the first contact is a bulge member, the second contact is a groove, the bulge member matches the groove, and in the case that the foldable mobile terminal is folded so that the first contact and the second contact touch each other, the first contact and the second contact are fixed by mosaic.
A foldable mobile terminal includes a hinge mechanism that allows the device to fold and unfold between open and closed positions. The hinge mechanism includes a first contact surface on one part of the terminal and a second contact surface on another part. The first contact is a protruding bulge member, while the second contact is a corresponding groove. The bulge member is designed to precisely fit into the groove, ensuring proper alignment when the terminal is folded. When the terminal is folded, the bulge member and groove engage, and the two contact surfaces are secured together using a mosaic-like interlocking structure. This interlocking mechanism ensures stability and prevents misalignment during folding and unfolding, enhancing the durability and reliability of the hinge mechanism. The design also helps maintain a consistent gap between the two parts of the terminal when folded, improving the overall user experience. The interlocking structure may include interlocking teeth or protrusions that fit together like a mosaic, providing a secure connection while allowing smooth folding and unfolding. This design is particularly useful in foldable electronic devices where precise alignment and stability are critical.
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October 20, 2020
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